Theophilus of Antioch, To Autolycus 8

Why should I go on listing the countless names and genealogies of such figures? In every respect the writers, poets, and philosophers — and even those who follow them — are deceived. They have fabricated myths and sheer foolishness about the gods they describe, failing to prove those beings are divine; instead they portray them as mere humans, some drunkards, others fornicators and murderers.

They also speak discordantly and vilely about the origin of the world. First, some declared the world uncreated, as we have already shown. Those who claim it is uncreated and eternal by nature do not speak consistently with those who assert it was created; they rely on conjecture and human reasoning, not on truth. Others, on the other hand, maintain that providence exists and then analyze their own teachings. Aratus, for instance, says: “We begin with Zeus, whom men never leave unspoken; all streets, marketplaces, seas, and harbors are full of him, and we all need him, for we are his offspring. He is gentle to humanity, extending his right hand, rousing people to work and reminding them of their livelihood, telling when the soil is best for plowing and for sowing every seed.” So whom should we trust — Aratus or Sophocles, who declares, “There is no clear providence; it is best to live as one can”? Homer disagrees, saying, “Zeus gives virtue to men and increases it.” Simonides adds, “No one obtains virtue without the gods, neither city nor mortal.” God is all‑wise; nothing exists apart from him. Euripides echoes, “There is nothing without God for men.” Menander states, “No one cares for us except God alone.” Euripides again: “When it seems good to God, he saves, providing many pretexts for salvation.” And Thesius: “If God wills, you will be saved, even if you sail on a raft.” Yet having said all this, they contradict themselves. Sophocles, speaking of divine neglect, says, “No mortal can escape the blow of God.” Moreover they have introduced a multitude of deities or even a single monarchy, and those who affirm providence have simultaneously asserted its opposite, neglect. Consequently Euripides confesses, “We strive for many things in vain, enduring troubles while knowing nothing.” Reluctantly they admit they do not know the truth, for they have been inspired and possessed by demons, and they spoke through those spirits.

The poets Homer and Hesiod, as they claim, were inspired by the Muses, yet they spoke in fantasy and error, not by a pure spirit but by deception. From this it is clearly shown that even those who are possessed by demons are sometimes exorcised in the name of the true God, and the errant spirits themselves confess they are demons who were active in those individuals at that time. Nevertheless, at times certain people, awakened in their souls, have spoken in agreement with the prophets, so that they may serve as a testimony to the prophets and to all humanity concerning the monarchy of God, his judgment, and the other matters the prophets declared.